Study: Regular Sex in Old Age Helps Keep Your Mind Sharp

Want to maintain razor-sharp mental acuity well into old age? Crossword puzzles and brainteasers might help, but new research suggests that an even more fun activity will keep those neurons firing. That’s right — we’re talking about sex!

The Journal of Gerontology published a study this week that says older people who are more sexually active perform better on visual, verbal and spatial perception tests. Researchers made this determination by polling 73 participants about their sex habits and then asking them to take a series of mental acuity evaluations. Interestingly, the more sexually active group did not perform better in three additional tested areas: memory, language and attentiveness. Maybe the relative lack of attentiveness in the high-frequency sex group came about because they were all thinking ahead to their next bedroom romp? You never know . . .

“Every time we do another piece of research we are getting a little bit closer to understanding why this association exists at all, what the underlying mechanisms are, and whether there is a ‘cause and effect’ relationship between sexual activity and cognitive function in older people,” researcher Hayley Wright told the Daily Mail. “‘People don’t like to think that older people have sex, but we need to challenge this conception at a societal level and look at what impact sexual activity can have on those aged 50 and over, beyond the known effects on sexual health and general well-being.'”

So, the next time you notice how sharp your elderly neighbors have remained well into their golden years, perhaps you’ll be able to conjure up the reason why (with science to back you up). And if the research is true, senior pornstars like Desperate Pleasures‘ Jack Moore will be assured of winning any and all Scrabble games that come their way.

Featured image: I Saw Your Grandparents Fucking